The night deepened, and a breeze began to blow.
Zhu Zhuqing sat quietly beside Lu Feng, her legs swinging gently. She tilted her head back, her gaze resting quietly on the vast starry sky.
Unconsciously, their bodies leaned closer and closer, until finally, they embraced tightly.
Time had flown by; it had been almost two and a half years since they met.
Nourished by high-intensity training and ample nutrition, Zhu Zhuqing's height had shot up again, now only half a head shorter than Lu Feng.
Her figure was curvy and exquisite, enough to make any woman in the world jealous.
Lu Feng was now over 1.8 meters tall, his shoulders broader and thicker. With his flowing long hair and extraordinarily handsome face, anyone who saw him would have to call him a 'super handsome guy'.
"Zhuqing, it's getting late. Let's go back and rest. If people get suspicious, it won't be good," Lu Feng said softly, his tone full of tenderness.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, then looked up, her gaze burning as she stared at Lu Feng. "What is your soul power level now? I actually can't sense your strength at all. Have I been slacking off in my cultivation lately?"
Lu Feng smiled slightly. "How could that be? Your cultivation speed is even faster than I expected. Among all the Soul Masters I've seen, you are the most hardworking one."
"Besides, the Yearning Heartbroken Red has already made up for the gap in your talent. With perseverance, you will definitely succeed."
The corners of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth tilted up, revealing a sweet smile.
She stood up and asked, seemingly casually, "If you go to the Star Luo Empire, what about Dugu Yan?"
Lu Feng pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Yan Yan will stay with Senior Dugu for now. The continent may seem calm on the surface, but dark tides have long been surging underneath. Before long, I'm afraid it will fall into turmoil."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded again, her eyes firm. "Don't worry. No matter what happens, I will be with you."
Lu Feng's lips curled up slightly as he gazed at Zhu Zhuqing.
Under the soft glow of the stars and moon, his gaze gradually became infatuated.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing was breathtakingly beautiful. Even the brilliance of the stars and moon seemed to become her foil.
Zhu Zhuqing looked deeply at Lu Feng, then slowly untied her hair tie.
She shook her head gently, and her long, silky black hair instantly cascaded down like a waterfall, falling in large waves, swaying gracefully with the gentle movement of her body.
"Zhuqing, you are so beautiful." Lu Feng blurted out uncontrollably.
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled slightly.
"Lu Feng, can you stay with me tonight?"
Her voice was as soft as a breeze, carrying an imperceptible tremor mixed with traces of fear and expectation.
Lu Feng was slightly stunned.
As an 'old driver', he naturally understood the deeper meaning in Zhu Zhuqing's words.
His left hand carefully passed through her cascading black hair, pulling her tightly into his embrace.
A faint fragrance wafted from Zhu Zhuqing's hair. It wasn't the smell of rouge or powder, because Lu Feng knew Zhu Zhuqing never liked those vulgar things.
Lu Feng slowly cupped Zhu Zhuqing's face, his gaze affectionate and focused. Then, he kissed her heavily.
After a long time, their lips finally separated.
"Silly girl, go to sleep early." Lu Feng gently stroked Zhu Zhuqing's head, his eyes full of adoration.
Early morning, sunlight filtered through thin clouds, sprinkling in front of the hotel entrance.
Yu Xiaogang stood in the hotel lobby, looking at the seven energetic students before him, his heart full of pride and gratification.
Dai Mubai's breakthrough was undoubtedly a shot in the arm, giving him immense confidence.
Level 50.
Looking across all the Soul Master academy teams, besides the Spirit Hall team and the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, which other academy could boast a Soul King-level student?
Moreover, Dai Mubai was only seventeen.
Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but imagine, with his talent and drive, what kind of scene it would be when he broke through to Soul Emperor?
Perhaps he could even break Spirit Hall's records.
Thinking of this, Yu Xiaogang puffed out his chest even more. These are my, Yu Xiaogang's, students!
"Ahem." Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat.
"Children, next is the match against the Star Luo Imperial Academy. I'll say a few words..."
At this moment, Ning Rongrong quietly leaned close to Zhu Zhuqing and poked her back with a finger.
"Zhuqing, where did you go last night?"
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes subconsciously glanced at "Dai Mubai" beside her.
Her expression was calm as she said unhurriedly, "Nowhere. I cultivated all night last night."
Ning Rongrong seemed to have noticed something. She lowered her voice again and said mysteriously, "Zhuqing, why do I feel like there's something going on between you and Dai Mubai..."
Zhu Zhuqing immediately interrupted her, skillfully changing the subject. "Rongrong, there is nothing between him and me. However, as the Young Miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, you should know about the Star Luo Imperial Family's affairs."
Ning Rongrong nodded and looked thoughtfully at "Dai Mubai" again.
After a moment, as if having made a decision, she leaned close to Zhu Zhuqing and whispered persuasively, "Zhuqing, why don't you join our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? I guarantee the Imperial Family won't dare trouble you for the rest of your life."
The talent displayed by the Shrek group was the most outstanding Ning Rongrong had ever seen.
At first, only Tang San and Oscar, with their innate full soul power, were eye-catching.
Ning Rongrong had been angry for quite a while over Oscar's departure. That was why she had contacted the clan elders to teach Yu Xiaogang a harsh lesson.
Then, Zhu Zhuqing's awakening had greatly surprised Ning Rongrong.
And now, even Dai Mubai, whom she hadn't thought much of usually, had actually broken through to the Soul King realm.
A seventeen-year-old Soul King.
Such talent... probably only that Lu Feng could compare.
Direct disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had no combat ability of their own due to their Martial Soul characteristics and could only rely on others for protection.
Therefore, from the very beginning, Ning Rongrong had regarded Zhu Zhuqing as her good friend.
The corner of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth turned up, revealing a faint smile. She said softly, "Rongrong, after the competition, I will return to the Star Luo Empire. Once things are settled, I'll come find you to play again."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong immediately pouted, complaining dissatisfiedly, "Hmph, that succession system of yours is truly brain-dead. You and your sister clearly have such a big age gap."
She paused, then said with concern, "Zhuqing, if you need any help in the future, just ask. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan doesn't have much power in Star Luo, but if you're short on money, feel free to go to the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce."
Saying this, Ning Rongrong took out a token from her Soul Tool.
The front of the token was engraved with an exquisite pagoda, shimmering with a gentle luster in the dim light. It was precisely the Seven Treasure Token.
Zhu Zhuqing reached out and took the token, smiling lightly. "Rongrong, we will always be good sisters."
"Mhm." Ning Rongrong nodded heavily, her eyes also shining with firm light.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang finally finished his inspiring speech.
He waved his hand, his voice resonant like a bell. "Children, let's go! Shrek's prestige will surely stand tall on the Douluo Continent!"